18天之旅

Day 1: Ubon – Champassak – KhongIsland
Upon arrival at the border, after checking through the immigration then we drive and travel to Champasak. Here we visit the sacred Khmer temple of Wat Phu. This complex represents the most eastern border of the Khmer Empire in the 4th centenary. Later in the afternoon we take a scenic drive and ferry boat to Don Khong. This island is one of the larger permanently inhabited islands in the ‘si pan don’ area. Dong Khong is best explored by bicycle. A reasonable dirt road circumvents the island.

Day 2: KhongIsland
By boat we’ll explore the 4000 islands area (si pan don). Here, the Mekong river is at its widest. During the rainy season it is up to 12 km across. When the waters recede, many small islands emerge. It is from this phenomenon that the region takes its name. From far distance you can hear the unmistakable roar of the Khone Phapheng and Li Phi falls, which we will visit today. Nearby the falls live some hundred Irrawaddy freshwater dolphins. Ban Hang Khon is one of the rare places on earth to spot these endangered mammals. Also see the old locomotive, railway and colonial bridge built by the French to avoid navigating on the rapids and waterfalls that abound on this section of the Mekong. Overnight at Khong Island

Hotel : Pon Arena Hotel.

Day 3: Khong Island – Mt. PhouAsa – Pakse – Bolaven Plateau
After breakfast, boat and drive; you will visit Mt. Phou Asa. Your transport will be an elephant, ambling leisurely up a forest clay track to the top of this outcrop above the plains.
In ancient times a temple was built up here – a magnificent choice of location. Today, all that’s left are stacks of flattish stones, which appear to be the temple pillars. Between them stretches the smooth rock of the outcrop, while above the tree-tops growing on the slopes you have fantastic views across the plains. Birds flit amongst the trees and ponds, and it’s altogether a beautiful place. MAKE SURE YOUR MAHOUT GIVES YOU TIME TO ENJOY THE VIEW ONCE YOU ARE ON TOP THE MOUNTAIN! After this exciting ride you are driving toPakse and visit the Luang temple, built in 2478 B.E. It houses the relics some Vips in Laos… ,such as the relic of Mr. Kratai Donesalid, the former Prime Minister of Laos. All relics are in big chedis of different styles. A monk’s school is behind the temple. Ask your guide to visit it.continue to drive to the Bolaven Plateau. and visits to villages on the Bolaven plateau. We overnight at our resort near the Tad Fane waterfall.

Hotel: Tad Fane Resort :

Tel :(856-20) 555 31 400

No web site.

Day 4: Boloven Plateau

Today enjoy some hiking in this delightful area. In the morning, make a hike up to the Dan Sin Say Plateau. Passing a hanging bridge, this walk goes trough coffee plantations and local villages. Ethnic tribes living in this area include the Laven, the Alak, the Katu and Suay people. Relax in the afternoon at your peaceful resort.

Hotel : Tad Fane Resort.

Day 5: Bolaven Plateau- Attapeu

After breakfast, departure by car for your journey to Attapeu – yet still left off most travellers’ itineraries, Attapeu is one of Laos’ true hidden gems.

Hotel : Say Sekong :

Day 6: Attapeu
Few tuk-tuks seem to traverse the streets, but walking is the best way to explore anyway: ideally in the early morning or late afternoon.

Within reach of the town are a range of natural sights — including the Dong Ampham Forest and Xepiane Forest. These two national biodiversity areas, are among the last bastions of Southeast Asia’s wilderness. Other attractions include a portion of the historically important Ho Chi Minh trail, cultural items of interest and villages home to many ethnic groups, including the Oye, Tallang, Yae, Lavenh, Yaheune, Lavae, Cheng, Ta Oy, Hmong and Lao Lum. Enjoy this area!

Today you drive to Savannakhet via Pakse. You will stop on route several times to visit villages. In the afternoon you will arrive at Savannakhet, a sleepy southern Lao province of Savannakhet stretches from Thailand to the west to Vietnam to the east. The name means, roughly, ‘Golden Land’ and was historically touted as the place to find the ‘best of the best’ in Laos. If time permits
check out the Catholic Church just off the decrepit town square, in the centre of town – the church is still in use: a holdover from the French occupation of Laos. Why not enjoy a marguerita at a bar floating on the Mekong at sunset? Overnight in Savannakhet.

Hotel : Dao Savanh Resort :

Day 8: Savannakhet – KoLongCave Overnight Sala Konglo
This morning visit the Dinosaur Museum and then head (2 hours) to Tha Khek which is the base of your thrilling boat tour In the Kong Lo cave (7 km) to Tham Kong Lo. spend approx : 1:30hr to go through this cave by small fishing boat. you need to bring the a touch with you. beautiful stalactite and atalagmite inside. return to your Sala Konglo that located by Hinboun river side for overnight.

Hotel : Sala Konglo:

Day 9: KongLongCave – Vientiane Overnight Beau Rivage.

Following breakfast drive to Vientiane. approx :7hrs.
Upon arrival in Vientiane you will be transferred to your hotel. This afternoon there will be a tour of Vientiane. Although it is a capital city, Vientiane has the feel of a small provincial town. The wide boulevards are almost devoid of traffic and with its many temples, the city retains the feel of another age. Our tour includes visits to the major temples of Wat Sisaket, Wat Prakeo and the impressive That Luang Stupa, the country’s most important monument. We will also see the Arch of Triumph, the National Museum and the main market. In the evening, following the meal you can enjoy an evening stroll along the banks of the Mekong River.

PLEASE NOTE THAT IF YOU ARE TOO TIRED FOR SIGHTSEEING IN VIENTIANE THIS DAY YOU CAN DO IT NEXT DAY.

Day 10: Vientiane – BuddhaPark
After breakfast we drive out of Vientiane to Buddha Park. On the way we will pass the Friendship bridge between Laos and Thailand. We may stop the beautiful point to take a photo. Xiengkhouan is the name of the village, during the Lao Royal Kingdom, Mr Boun Leua who believe and used to study in India about Hinduism constructed and hired the people to make many statuses in this area. Inside this garden you can see the statuses of Buddha and Hinduism mixing. It’s good idea if you walk through the big pumpkin from the ground to the top and you can see the nice view of this garden. We will spend the time here about 1 or 2 hrs before return to the town. Free at leisure in the afternoon ( B )
Hotel : Beau Rivage.

Day 11: Vientiane no car and no guide

Today is our free day at the smallest capital of the world. Visit my friend Carol Cassidy, an AmerICan weaver who revived Lao Silk weaving. Stroll in the city, relax at the Mekong, it is a great place to chill out and get yourself ready for the trip up north.

Hotel : Beau Rivage.Day 12: Vientiane – XiengKhouang (Plain of Jars) – Mon/Wed/Fr & Sat flights
After breakfast transfer to Wattay airport for departure Xieng Khouang, situated on high plateau of grasses and scrubby trees, this area is doted with more than hundred large stone. Legend has it that these stone jars were cups used by a race of Kha giants to drink alcohol. Apart from the site of the “Plain of Jars" Xieng Khouang province was one of the most heavily bombed areas of Laos in the American air-war which began in 1964 and lasted for nine years. On arrival take a brief city tour around the town before check- in. Overnight in Xieng Khouang.

Hotel : Auberge Plain De Jars:
Tel : 856- 30 5170 282

DAY 13: XIENG KHOUANG – PLAIN OF JARS
This morning drive (10 km) to Phonesavanh, Xieng Khouang Province in northeastern Laos, to visit Plain of Jars which dates back at least 2000 years ago. Continue to visit plain of jar (Site2) ‘Hai Hin Phu Salato’. En-route visits the Hmong village of Ban Na Sala where you can learn about their housing, living and working condition which is completely different from others. In the afternoon drive to Maung Khoung, the old capital of Xiengkhoung which was heavily damaged during the war, there you can see some former French settlement and hospital as well as the damage famous temple of Wat Phia Wat. Overnight in Xieng Khoung.
Hotel : Auberge Plain De Jars.Day 14: Phonsavan – LuangPrabang
By road we depart this morning to Luang Prabang , The world heritage city. Traveling trough high mountains and karsts formations, we have time to stop and visit remote dwellings of ethnic minority villages. Probably you will notice that many houses have looms underneath with which the family’s clothes, bags and accessories are manufactured. Late afternoon we’ll arrive at Luang Prabang the old capital of Lanexang kingdom.( B )

Day 15: LuangPrabang – Temple Visits
Luang Prabang, the former royal capital, is best known for it’s ancient temples and romantic setting at the confluence of the Mekong and Kane Rivers. Because of the compact size of the peninsula, Luang Prabang is best explored on foot. In the morning we embark on a half-day walking tour, visiting the National Museum (formerly known as the Royal Palace), wat Xieng Thong, wat Sen and wat May. The afternoon is free to explore or relax on your own. Climb the Phousi Hill to enjoy excellent views of the lush green World Heritage city and the Kane and Mekong River (if you want to be there in peace the early morning is more recommendable than for sunset where there are loads of people on the little hill…)
Hotel : Sala Prabang.Day 16: LuangPrabang – Kuangsi Waterfall
This early morning you may want to wake up early and participate in a daily Lao morning ritual. Monks carrying their bowls, wander through town blessing local people who give them offers (mostly sticky rice). After breakfast a day trip to the beautiful Kuang Si waterfalls where turquoise waters cascade over limestone formations. The abundance of water forms a magnificent display of nature. Below the Kuang Si are large ponds perfect for swimming and cooling off under the spray. Before enjoying a picnic lunch next to the pools, we will pass stupendous landscapes, teak forests and several ethnic minority villages (Hmong and Khmu). In Ban Phanom, a weaving village, we can find excellent pieces of Lao textile. Near the waterfalls it’s worth while to visit a centre where the endangered black Asiatic beers found a safe shelter ( B,L).

Hotel : Sala Prabang.

DAY 17: LUANG PRABANG – PAK OU – PAKBENG
After breakfast you will head upstream on the Mekong River to Pakbeng. On the way stop at the mouth of the Nam Ou River, for a visit at the Tam Ting Caves (Pak Qu Caves), home of one thousand Buddhas and also a small royal cave Wat nearby. Built into the rocky walls of a sandstone mountain, the Buddha statues here are allegedly more than 300 years old. The climb to the caves is quite a challenging one as there are hundreds of steps to reach them. After exploring them we continue on toward to Pakbeng. Overnight in Pakbeng.

After breakfast, enjoy a short walk to Pakbeng for a visit to the lively market where local villagers from the surrounding ethnic villages come to exchange their goods. Time permitting, visit several temples of Pakbeng before continuing your 7 hours journey up the Mekong to the Lao-Thai border. En route stop at a village of ethnics minority groups and observe rural life along the Mekong river. Picnic lunch on board! Arrive at Houeixay before sunset and check out at the Immigration at Laos side and cross the Mekong to Thailand.